Chapter II (Ashanti album)

Chapter II
A photograph of Ashanti from the waist up wearing a dress with the ocean in the background
Studio album by
Ashanti
ReleasedJuly 1, 2003
Recorded2002–2003
StudioCrackhouse Studios
(New York City)
SoundCastle Studios
(Los Angeles)
GenreR&B[1]
Length65:16
Label
Producer
Ashanti chronology
7 Series Sampler
(2003) 		Chapter II
(2003) 		Ashanti's Christmas
(2003)
Singles from Chapter II
  1. "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)"
    Released: May 19, 2003
  2. "Rain on Me"
    Released: August 11, 2003
  3. "Breakup 2 Makeup"
    Released: 2004

Chapter II is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Ashanti. It was released by Murder Inc. and Island Def Jam on July 1, 2003 in the United States.[2]Ashanti reteamed with Murder Inc. head Irv Gotti and producer Chink Santana to work on the album. Chapter II features a guest appearance by rapper Ja Rule, Chink Santana, and Gunnz. Critical reception towards the album was generally mixed, with critics commending the album's autobiographical lyrics, and its fun yet light nature, while other critics felt Chapter II lacked creativity and personality and relied too heavily on the formula of her debut album (2002).

Upon its release, the album debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 326,000 units. It also reached the top ten in Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Chapter II was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in August 2003 and gained gold status in Japan and the United Kingdom. At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, it earned Ashanti three nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. Chapter II spawned three singles, including the Billboard Hot 100 number two song "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)", the R&B ballad "Rain on Me" and "Breakup 2 Makeup (Remix)".

Promotion

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Murder Inc. selected "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)," which they considered a continuation from her debut single "Foolish" (2002), to be released as the album's first single from Chapter 2.[3] Issued on May 19, 2003,[4] the song became a commercial success stateside and Ashanti's third solo top ten hit. It peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, while reaching number four on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, it was a moderate success, reaching the top five in Canada and Japan, the top ten in the United Kingdom, top twenty in Australia, and the top forty in Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland.[3]

The album's second single "Rain on Me", was released on August 11, 2003.[5] It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Elsewhere, it reached the top twenty in Belgium and the United Kingdom.[6] In 2004, "Rain on Me" earned Ashanti a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[6] In 2004, a remix version of "Breakup 2 Makeup" featuring labelmate Black Child was released as a single.[7] It served as the lead single from Ashanti's remix compilation album Collectables by Ashanti, released in 2005, reaching number 76 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[7]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic51/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Blender[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[10]
Mojo[11]
PopMatters[12]
Q[8]
Rolling Stone[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[14]
Slant Magazine[15]
The Village VoiceC[16]

Chapter II received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 51, based on 11 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[8] The New York Times writer Kelefa Sanneh remarked that Chapter II "isn't perfect, but once you edit out the skits (which are, without exception, excruciating), you're left with an album that's graceful, beguiling and above all, light, in the best sense of the word."[17] People magazine noted that "the singer's sophomore CD, though, proves wrong those who thought she would be a one-hit-album wonder. Chapter II, which continues the same hip-hop soul theme as her self-titled debut, is the equivalent of a good beach read: It's easy, breezy listening that doesn't require much brainpower."[18]

Billboard wrote that Chapter II "doesn't stray too far from its predecessor" and complimented the autobiographical songs on the album.[19] Ernest Hardy from Rolling Stone found that the "album is filled with the same beat-driven, slickly produced midtempo tracks and ballads that made up her debut [and] the disc's best moments have a decidedly old-school feel to them [...] Still, dullard schoolgirl insights into love and heartache dominate the album; add some boring between-song skits about 'haters,' and Chapter II wears thin long before its halfway mark."[13] While he complimented Ashanti for her writing credits on the album, Entertainment Weekly journalist Tom Sinclair felt that "Chapter II is too mired in tired R&B conventions to achieve true magnificence."[10]

Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "the songs have about as much personality as Ashanti's voice, but that actually is a point in its favor, since it keeps everything on an even keel and makes Gotti and Santana's stylish production the star. They are the secret ingredients that make Chapter II good romantic mood music for the summer."[1] Alexa Camp from Slant Magazine wrote that "the album's got some great tunes, but they'd be better suited for someone like Mary J. Blige, whom Shany & Co. bite off."[15] Robert Christgau gave Chapter II a "C" rating in his review for The Village Voice, calling it a "pathologically modest follow-up."[16] PopMatters from Maurice Bottomley assured that "Chapter 2 is not going to feature as any scribe's R&B album of the year."[12]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, Chapter II debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 326,000 units sold.[20] While it became Ashanti's second chart topper, it was a considerable decline from her previous effort Ashanti, which had opened to sales of 502,500 units in April 2002.[20] In total, it remained on the Billboard 200 chart for 30 consecutive weeks.[21] In addition, it reached the top position on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, where it stayed at the top spot for two consecutive weeks.[22] On August 14, 2003, The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[23] Towards the end of 2003, Billboard ranked the album at number 54 and 27 respectively on its Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums year end chart lists.[24][25] By January 2005, Chapter II had sold 1.5 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[26]

Elsewhere, Chapter II reached the top five on the Canadian and UK Singles Chart.[27] It was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), indicating sales in excess of 100,000 copies,[28] and also went gold in Japan.[29] In Switzerland, it reached the top ten, debuting and peaking at number nine on the Swiss Albums Chart, making it Ashanti's highest-charting album to date.[30] Chapter II also entered the top 20 in Australia and Germany.[31][32] To date, the album has sold 3 million copies worldwide.[33]

Track listing

[edit]
Chapter II track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Intro (Medley)"
1:18
2."Shany's World" (featuring Chink Santana)
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
3:05
3."Rock wit U (Awww Baby)"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
3:29
4."What Are They Gonna Say Now" (Skit) 0:31
5."Breakup 2 Makeup"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
3:41
6."I Found Lovin'"
  • Johnny Flippin
  • Michael L. Walker
4:15
7."Rain on Me"
4:57
8."Then Ya Gone" (featuring Chink Santana)
4:59
9."Living My Life"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
3:46
10."Black Child" (Skit)
1:28
11."Feel So Good"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
  • Austin Johnson
  • Smead Hudman
4:31
12."Carry On"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
3:15
13."The Sugar Shack" (Skit) 1:10
14."The Story of 2"
4:33
15."Ohhh Ahhh"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
4:36
16."Shany Shia" (Skit) 1:11
17."Sweet Baby" (featuring Ja Rule)
4:08
18."U Say, I Say" (featuring Gunnz)
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
4:09
19."I Don't Mind"
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
5:04
20."Outro" (featuring Chink Santana)
  • Douglas
  • Parker
  • Lorenzo
0:58
Total length:65:16
Japan, and United Kingdom bonus track
No.TitleLength
21."I Know"4:42
Total length:69:58
Japan bonus track
No.TitleLength
22."I'm Not Scared"4:13
Total length:74:11

Samples[34]

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Chapter II
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[29] Gold 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[28] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[23] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Allmusic review
  2. ^ "Billboard". 12 July 2003.
  3. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (May 12, 2003). "With No One To Say 'Awww Baby' To, Ashanti Turns To Her Friends". MTV.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1504. May 16, 2003. p. 28.
  5. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1516. August 8, 2003. p. 26.
  6. ^ a b Taylor, Chuck (August 30, 2003). "Billboard Picks". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Wiederhorn, Jon (February 20, 2003). "Ashanti Promises New Sound, New Flavor On Next LP". MTV.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Critic Reviews at Metacritic
  9. ^ Blender review[dead link‍]
  10. ^ a b Sinclair, Tom (July 11, 2003). "Chapter II". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  11. ^ Mojo review
  12. ^ a b Bottomley, Maurice (September 18, 2003). "Ashanti: Chapter 2". PopMatters. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Hardy, Ernest. "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-05-21. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  14. ^ Cross, Charles R. (2004). "Ashanti". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 25. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  15. ^ a b Camp, Alexa (June 27, 2003). "Review: Ashanti, Chapter II". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (December 2, 2003). "Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot 2003". The Village Voice. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  17. ^ Sanneh, Sanneh (July 6, 2003). "The Solo Beyoncé: She's No Ashanti". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  18. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Chapter II". People. August 4, 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  19. ^ "Billboard Pics: Essentials". Billboard. July 12, 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Ashanti Returns To No. 1 With 'Chapter II'". Billboard. July 9, 2003. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ashanti - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ashanti - Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "American album certifications – Ashanti – Chapter II". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
  24. ^ a b "Billboard.BIZ". Billboard.BIZ. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  25. ^ a b "Billboard.BIZ". Billboard.BIZ. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  26. ^ Lynch, Jason (January 10, 2005). "Ashanti: Take Two". People. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Ashanti | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  28. ^ a b "British album certifications – Ashanti – Chapter II". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
  29. ^ a b "Japanese album certifications – アシャンティ – チャプターII" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2017-06-12. Select 2003年7月 on the drop-down menu
  30. ^ a b "Swisscharts.com – Ashanti – Chapter II". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  31. ^ a b "Australiancharts.com – Ashanti – Chapter II". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  32. ^ a b "Offiziellecharts.de – Ashanti – Chapter II" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  33. ^ "Ashanti".
  34. ^ Chapter II (Media notes). Murder Inc., Island Def Jam. 2003.
  35. ^ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 18th August 2003" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (704): 14. August 18, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023 – via Pandora Archive.
  36. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Ashanti – Chapter II" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  37. ^ "Ashanti Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  38. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ashanti – Chapter II" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  39. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 22, no. 30. July 19, 2003. p. 12. Retrieved February 13, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  40. ^ "Lescharts.com – Ashanti – Chapter II". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  41. ^ チャプターII スペシャル・エディション (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  42. ^ "Charts.nz – Ashanti – Chapter II". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  43. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  44. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  45. ^ "Ashanti Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  46. ^ "Ashanti Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  47. ^ "2003 UK Albums Chart" (PDF). ChartsPlus. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
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